The
Coimbatore Heritage visit along with Tamilnadu Heritage forum was planned for 3 days between 14th
April to 16th April 2017. Since the 16th April visit was
cancelled, utilizing this opportunity,
attended the Palladam Rajendra Chozha’s 1000th year crowning
function organised by the Palladam Tamil Sangam and Gangaokonda Chozhapuram
mempattu kazhakam. The function was
scheduled to end around 21.00 hrs. Since I booked my return journey ticket from
Erode through Yercaud express, which scheduled to depart by 21.00 hrs. So decided
to skip the post lunch program. Mr
Kaliyappan, Mrs Sakthi Prakash and Miss Aathirai asked me join with them to visit some of the Pulikuthi kal and
Iyyanar statues around Kangeyam. Decided to join with them and thought it might
be easy to catch the train at Erode.

Hired
a Maruthi Omni visited the sites and
enjoyed the hospitality of Miss Aathirai’s father and Mother extended to us at
their farm and the vegetables, before departing to Erode. Since it was Sunday
evening we found very difficult to get the bus, but managed to reach Erode 30
minutes before the train departure.

PULIKUTHI KAL AT KODUVAI, ALAKUMALAI, PERUNTHOZHUVU NEAR
KANGEYAM

புலிக்குத்தி
கற்கள் என்பது தாங்கள் வளர்க்கும் ஆடு மாடுகளை காப்பாற்ற அதைக்கொன்று சாப்பிடவரும்
புலிகளை கொல்வதும் அப்படி கொல்லும் போது அந்த மனிதன் மரணம் அடைந்தால் அந்த வீரனின்
நினைவாக நடப்படும் கற்களே புலிக்குத்திக் கற்கள் எனப்படும். ஒருகாலத்தில் காங்கயமும்
அதைச் சுற்றி இருந்த இடங்களும் வனமாகவும் அதில் சிங்கம் புலி போன்ற மிருகங்களும் இருந்து
இருக்கின்றன. அக்காடுகளில் உள்ள கிராமங்களில் ஆடு, மாடுகளை வளர்த்து வந்தனர். அதற்கு
சாட்ச்சியாக இப்போது இருக்கும் பெருந்தொழுவு
என்ற கிராமமும் அங்கு உள்ள புலிகுத்தி கல்லும். தமிழில் ஆடு மாடுகளைக் கட்டும் இடத்தை
தொழுவம் என்று அழைக்கப்படும்.We
had seen 3 pulikuthi kals in a radius of
15 KM around Kangeyam, still some may be there un explored. Since Kangeyam is
surrounded by small hills like Sivan Malai, Chennimalai, etc., once this place might be a thick forest and
lot of wild animals. In the forest small hamlets with cattle which used to
graze. One of the Village Perunthozhuvu, where we had seen a
Pulikuthikal, indicates that there might
be a big place to keep the cattle in large numbers during those days. In the
process of protecting the cattle from tigers some of the men would have lost
their lives. In remembrance of those dead these Pulikuthikals were erected.

This
Pulikuthikal was lying out side the premises of Kasi Lingeswarar Siva Temple in
broken condition. This has some inscriptions which are not legible to read.

This Pulikuthikal is in good shape erected on the
road side, with inscriptions on the top. Local People worship this Pulikuthikal.

This Pulikuthikal is in front of a Perumal temple
at Perunthozhuvu ( பெருந்தொழுவு ), half buried. Since this is in-front of Perumal
temple, local people applied thiruman.

Kangeyam is on the ancient and latter trade route where
Gems, iron articles were exported to Rome from Kodumanal areas through western
sea shore ( Kerala ). Since Iyyanar is a protecting god we had seen Iyyanar at
two places near Kangeyam, of which one is in good shape and local people
worship Iyyanar. These two Iyyanars are with consorts Poorna and Pushkala. The
Iyyanars what I had seen near Erode are not with his consort.

This Iyyanar is at Kandiyan Kovil. This Iyyanar
with his consort are under worship and is in good shape.

This Iyyanar is at Chinnaripatti Sri Mangalambigai samedha Sri Maathaveeswarar Shiva temple.
Since this was broken, kept out side the temple along with other statues. One Nandhi is also there with inscription.

JYESHTA DEVI AND A SASANAKAL

In addition to the Pulikuthikal we had seen a
Jyeshta Devi with Maanthan and Agnimatha relief panel outside the Perunthozhu
Shiva temple. The Jyeshta devi or Thavvai thai has no big belly which is found in
other places. Also Maanthan and agni matha seems to be in standing posture In addition to this we had seen a sasana kal
or Tablet contain the order in front of a Shiva Temple at Alakumalai Shiva
temple